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From the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of All the Light We Cannot See, perhaps the most bestselling and beloved literary fiction of our time, comes a triumph of imagination and compassion, a soaring novel about children on the cusp of adulthood in a broken world, who find resilience, hope, and story. The heroes of Cloud Cuckoo Land are trying to figure out the world around them: Anna and Omeir, on opposite sides of the formidable city walls during the 1453 siege of Constantinople; teenage idealist Seymour in an attack on a public library in present day Idaho; and Konstance, on an interstellar ship bound for an exoplanet, decades from now. Like Marie-Laure and Werner in All the Light We Cannot See, Anna, Omeir, Seymour, and Konstance are dreamers and outsiders who find resourcefulness and hope in the midst of peril. An ancient text—the story of Aethon, who longs to be turned into a bird so that he can fly to a utopian paradise in the sky—provides solace and mystery to these unforgettable characters. Doerr has created a tapestry of times and places that reflects our vast interconnectedness—with other species, with each other, with those who lived before us and those who will be here after we’re gone. Dedicated to “the librarians then, now, and in the years to come,” Cloud Cuckoo Land is a hauntingly beautiful and redemptive novel about stewardship—of the book, of the Earth, of the human heart.

In the intricate and elegantly crafted novel "Cloud Cuckoo Land" by Anthony Doerr, readers embark on a captivating journey through time and continents, following the interconnected lives of characters across centuries. Set in distinct eras, the novel weaves together the stories of Anna, a young woman living in Constantinople in the fifteenth century; Omeir, a goatherd boy in a remote mountain village in the present day; Seymour, a troubled boy in twentieth-century Idaho; and Zeno, a mysterious figure bridging the ages. Through their experiences, "Cloud Cuckoo Land" explores themes of storytelling, the enduring power of art and literature, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Beginning in the bustling streets of Constantinople, readers are introduced to Anna, a bright and curious young woman whose world is upended when her home is besieged by an invading army. Forced to flee, Anna finds solace in books and embarks on a quest to preserve the knowledge and stories that could otherwise be lost forever. Her journey takes her across vast landscapes and introduces her to a cast of memorable characters, each with their own unique struggles and aspirations.

In the present day, Omeir, a goatherd boy living in a remote mountain village, discovers a mysterious manuscript hidden in a cave. As he delves into the stories it contains, Omeir becomes aware of a connection to Anna's world centuries before. This discovery sets him on a quest to uncover the secrets of the manuscript and its potential significance to his own life and community.

In twentieth-century Idaho, Seymour, a troubled boy grappling with personal and familial struggles, finds solace in unexpected places. Through his encounters with literature and the natural world, he begins to find a path towards healing and understanding. His journey mirrors that of Anna and Omeir, demonstrating the universal power of stories to transcend time and space.

As the novel progresses, the lives of these characters intertwine in surprising and profound ways. Zeno, a mysterious figure who appears throughout history, serves as a bridge between the different eras and stories. Through his interactions with Anna, Omeir, and Seymour, Zeno highlights the enduring legacy of storytelling and its ability to shape and inspire generations.

"Cloud Cuckoo Land" is a sweeping and ambitious novel that celebrates the power of storytelling and the enduring human spirit. Doerr's lyrical prose and intricate storytelling create a vivid and immersive world that captivates readers from beginning to end. With its exploration of themes such as love, loss, resilience, and the transformative power of art, "Cloud Cuckoo Land" is a literary masterpiece that stays with readers long after they finish the final page.